From: Joy Sebren
Subj: Christianity Notes, Monday 10/21
Rel 203
Monday, 10/21
Christianity

The Professor announced the exam will be extended to Friday, 10/25.
Lab Open: M-TH 7:30am - 7:00pm, F-7:30am - 5:00 pm.
Homework handout Christianity 2, read by Monday, 10/28 also read LUKE 16:19ff
Teaching of The Afterlife skipped Monday, 10/21 will be discussed Monday, 10/28.
On Christianity exam:
1. Life after death in Old Testament
2. Messiah

Class Discussion:

Old Testament Scriptures - Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish Messiah.
Christianity - Christ (GK CHRISTOS) = Messiah.
Jesus Christ = Jesus the Messiah 4 BC - 29 BC (People argue about dates)
Jesus didn't write anything himself. Stories came from 4 Gospels. 98% Letters of Paul. The New Testament.
4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
These are religious biographies of Jesus' life and teachings.
Gospel = "Good News" (i.e. Jesus is Messiah, died for your sins).
(History of the Early Church)
Acts of the Apostles (one sent forth) 12 Apostles (for 12 Tribes) Christianity began as a Jewish Sect. early Christian Jews - GENTILES ( non-Jews) eventually out numbered Jews.
BULK OF THE NEW TESTAMENT:
Epistles (Letters) of Paul & others 50's - early 60's AD, executed in Rome.
Book of Revelation - The revelation of John
- Prophecies about the end of the world.
New Testament (covenant) - Contract.
At the "Last Supper" drank wine (blood) of the new covenant. Jesus was final sacrifice, no need to sacrifice animals anymore.
4 GOSPELS: (Snoptic Gospels same view of Jesus)
Matthew (written for Jewish audience) based on sayings of Jesus, recorded by the disciples - tax collector, 75 - 80 AD.
Mark (written for Roman audience) written by John Mark, assoc. of Peter, 65-70AD. Explanation of Jewish customs, Roman characters.
Luke (written for general Gentile audience)
(also written for woman) Luke was not Jewish.
80-85 AD, also author of Book of Acts.
John (written for Gentile audience) no parables. Jesus claims he is the Messiah. 90-100AD, last disciple to die.
* Important date to remember - 70 AD Temple destroyed.
GOSPEL OF MARK: Jesus on the Law
1. Picked grain, healed on Sabbath "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Quote means: Follow the spirit of the law not the letter.
2. Didn't ceremonially wash cups & bowls.
(TALMUDIC TRADITION)
He declares all food clean, no more Kosher Laws. Emphasises morality over ritual (like Prophets).
PARABLE: (have a two fold purpose) Metaphor or allegory used to:
1. Convey a spiritual truth to believers.
2. Keep outsiders, unbelievers in the dark.
Parable of the Sower (MARK 4:1-9):
The Sower - Jesus- Seeds(Word of God)
Types of followers:
1. Path - hard hearts
2. Rocky ground - shallow- persecution
3. Weeds or thorns - worldly concern, wealth
4. Fertile - people that bear fruit, usually become disciples, grow spiritually.
MAIN THEME OF MARK (Mark 4:30-32) "Mustard Seed" Parable:
- The kingdom of God: is like the mustard seed - it's the smallest seed, but grows into the biggest shrub.
- Pediction of runaway growth of Jesus' followers.
Kingdom of God:
- His followers in the present - "The Church"
- Future Messianic Kingdom.
* Test Question: Jesus has brothers and sisters, brothers named.
Catholic belief - Mary was Perpetually virgin - says these are cousins.
THE MESSIANIC SECRET: (Instructor's opinion weak cf MARK 14:61 ff)
Theory: The Messianic Secret is evidence Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah.
Another theory: Didn't want his ministry cut short.
Another theory: Crowd control, textual support.
Geressene Demoniac is the only person that Jesus tells to spred the word that he healed him. He told everyone else, he healed, to keep it a secret. Sends Geressene out as a missionary to tell everyone Jesus claims to be:
- The Christ, Messiah, Son of Man
- Son of the Blessed One, Son of God
THE RICH MAN: (Wealth, MARK 10:17, 10:24)
It'd be a miracle if any rich person got into heaven! Compare with OT view - DEUT 28, JOB.
Jesus said," You lack one thing; go sell what you own and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me." When the rich man heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
(eye of the needle, gate not present, built by muslims).
MARK 13 OLIVET DISCOURSE
Destruction of Temple - 70 AD
False Messiahs
Wars
Earthquake
Famines
Persecution
Desolating Sacriledge
(Anti-Christ)
"Second Coming" (Coming of the Son of Man)
MARK 13:26-27 They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, then he will send out the angels and gather his elect (chosen ones) from the four winds, from the ends of the earth, to the ends of heaven
Jesus foretell's an imminent apocalypse.
MARK 13:28 The lesson of The Fig Tree Parable will happen soon. "This generation won't pass away."
MATT 24:3FF, MARK 8:38
genos
-generation
-race (Jews)